Bouquet-holder



(No Model.) I

- J. B. BALLARD.

BOUQUET HOLDER.

1510. 549,486. Patented Nov. 12, 1895.

7V1? NESSES Vii/V707? I ANDREW B.GRAHAM PHbTO-UTHQWASHINGTDMDS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH B. BALLARD, OF TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI.

BOUQUET-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.- 549,486, dated November 12, 1895.

' Application filed February 15, 1895. Serial No. 538,547. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH B. BALLARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tupelo, in the county of Lee and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bouquet- Holders; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 7

My invention relates to bouquet-holders, and to that class adapted to be attached to the lapel or garment of the wearer.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will not only serve as a bouquet-holder but as a badge on which may be inscribed or engraved the emblems of societies and orders or suitable words; furthermore, to provide means by which the elastic which holds the bouquet may be kept taut, and, finally, to provide a holder which may be simple of construction and inexpensive in its production.

With these objects in View the invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the device attached to the lapel of a coat. Fig. 2 is a detached front view of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear View. Fig. 4 is a view-of the pin removed. Fig. 5 is a view of amodification.

In the drawings, I 1 denotes the body or plate, which may be of any desired outline and configuration, and which may be ornamented and its face suitably inscribed. At one end of the frame is provided a hook 2, which projects through a hole in the plate and is formed into a hook 5. A pin 3, having at one end an eye 4, is passed through the other end of the plate, and the point of the pin, after it has entered the garment to which the device is to be secured, is engaged in the usual manner in the hook 5. An elastic cord 6, having ornamentally-tipped ends,is secured in the eye and its other end engaged with the hook 2. Thus the stems of the flowers will be securely retained in position by the said elastic. Should the elastic become worn and stretched, which it is very apt to be after it has been subjected to much use, it may be made taut by turning the pin one or more revolutions, which will wind the slack portion of the cord around the shank of the eye, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

If desired, the curved portion of the plate may be dispensed with, as shown in Fig. 5, it being understood, however, that this form will not admit of the use of the inscriptions and emblems. I may also dispense with the pin for securing the plate to the garment and in lieu substitute a button, which will enable the device to be inserted in the buttonhole of a lapel.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages and utility of the invention will be apparent. It will be seen that it can be produced at a very small cost, and that, owing to the fact that the elastic may be made taut should it become stretched, there is no liability of a bouquet accidentally becoming detached.

WVhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

' A bouquet holder of the character described, consisting of a plate having on its face a hook, a hook on the back of the plate, a pin having an eye which projects through the plate, said pin adapted to engage the hook on the back of the plate and an elastic secured to said eye and engaging the hook on the front plate, whereby the said elastic may be made taut by turning the said hook.

I11 testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH B. BALLARD.

\Vitnesses PURD W. KEYEs, E. F. BALLARD. 

